Jill’s on the River boasts good food, great location

Written by Alex Sobel

February 13, 2014

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At only 9 months old, Jill’s on the River Bar and Grill, located at 1800 Miami St., Toledo, may be relatively new to the local restaurant scene, but that doesn’t mean that it’s coming from a place of inexperience.

“(Jill’s) is the pinnacle of my 23 years of restaurant experience,” said Rob Socie, the establishment’s owner.

Socie, a lifetime resident of Toledo who’s also the owner of the Bulldog Diner in Rossford, believes that Jill’s incorporates pieces of everything he’s learned along the line about running a successful restaurant.

“Family restaurant, banquet facility, fresh salads, hand cut steaks,” Socie said, “It’s just a combination of everything I’ve done up to this point in one setting, in one establishment.”

“All that, with a full bar,” he added.

Socie believes the food and drinks that Jill’s offers will keep people coming back.

“One of our features is our daily food specials,” he said, “as well as our happy hour from 4-7 p.m., even on weekends.”

Socie also points out Jill’s prime, scenic location.

“We have a great view that overlooks parts of the Maumee River as well as a view of the Hollywood Casino,” he said.

Being so close to casino is something that Socie hopes to incorporate into the way that he runs Jill’s.

“I’d really like to turn this into a destination for casino patrons where people can come in and enjoy a nice meal and a cold beverage at considerably less than casino prices,” he said. “I want to turn (Casino patron’s) destination into a multi-stop evening.

“We have a large seating capacity, a private banquet facility, an exclusive parking lot, and easy access in and out,” he said.

Socie also wants to make Jill’s a destination for people seeking quality entertainment. Currently, the restaurant features live performers and DJs on select nights of the week, and Socie believes that there will be more to come. The look of Jill’s is also something that is important. While patrons who come over from the casino may not be local, Socie uses the restaurant to emphasize the city that he’s lived in his entire life.

“(Jill’s has) a contemporary décor, with an emphasis on a Toledo theme, including the Mud Hens and other things that make us distinctly Toledo,” he said. “We are a Toledo establishment and aren’t afraid to say so.”